Natures waste management specialists.
Aug 29, 2021 14:48:00 GMT -8
nomihoudai, Adam Cotton, and 1 more like this
Post by trehopr1 on Aug 29, 2021 14:48:00 GMT -8
Dung Beetles are nature's waste management work crew. They are found on every continent (except Antarctica) and are found in most environs except very dry or extreme cold ones.
They are part of the large family (Scarabaeidae) and most
of them make up the 2 subfamilies of (Scarabaeinae/true dung beetles)
and (Aphodiinae/small dung beetles).
There are also dung feeding beetles which belong to other
families, such as the Geotrupidae (earth-boring dung beetles).
Only recently, I had an opportunity to purchase a half drawer
of these fellows from a collection. I was offered a VERY reasonable
cost for the whole lot and decided "why-not"; I'd probably never
see another assemblage quite like it !
Most arrived as (pairs) so that was quite nice and there was quite
a "flavoring" of diversity regarding colors, countries represented,
and size. All told I picked-up 55 specimens.
This unit tray represents merely a fraction of what I received
and every specimen is of a different species.
I'm really only a half-hearted beetle collector as lepidoptera
have always been my first passion in the hobby but, assemblages
of groups (brought together by other enthusiasts) nearly always
intrigue me for the effort put forth and the diversity shown.
Having acquired these I now have a greater appreciation for the "little fellows" which
help to keep our planet tidy and cleansed of refuse. They do us all a service
with a determined work ethic AND no fuss approach.
They are part of the large family (Scarabaeidae) and most
of them make up the 2 subfamilies of (Scarabaeinae/true dung beetles)
and (Aphodiinae/small dung beetles).
There are also dung feeding beetles which belong to other
families, such as the Geotrupidae (earth-boring dung beetles).
Only recently, I had an opportunity to purchase a half drawer
of these fellows from a collection. I was offered a VERY reasonable
cost for the whole lot and decided "why-not"; I'd probably never
see another assemblage quite like it !
Most arrived as (pairs) so that was quite nice and there was quite
a "flavoring" of diversity regarding colors, countries represented,
and size. All told I picked-up 55 specimens.
This unit tray represents merely a fraction of what I received
and every specimen is of a different species.
I'm really only a half-hearted beetle collector as lepidoptera
have always been my first passion in the hobby but, assemblages
of groups (brought together by other enthusiasts) nearly always
intrigue me for the effort put forth and the diversity shown.
Having acquired these I now have a greater appreciation for the "little fellows" which
help to keep our planet tidy and cleansed of refuse. They do us all a service
with a determined work ethic AND no fuss approach.
